Movies about USNA or Navy

Look for “ The Academy Insider” on Facebook. He’s a former mid who has posted a bunch of interactive Q and A videos and some very helpful blog posts. We watched them every week this past summer and it really helped our family survive plebe summer :) I think my plebe got tired of me quoting the videos, but he appreciated not having to explain every new term and event because we were already familiar. I wish it had been around before he left.

I also recommend your kid become a history buff. There are a lot of building with fancy names on the Yard and it’s pretty cool to walk into those building understanding the amazing leaders they’re named after.
 
Hellcats of the Navy staring Ronald Reagan as a submarine commander. I cried when the chief died.
 
“An Officer and a Gentleman” is one of my favorite - and pretty damn accurate too.

You must be joking.

No idea about the pretty damn accurate part ...

But I loved An Officer and a Gentleman and A Few Good Men as movies. Not necessarily about the naval academy or the navy per se.

Certainly better than Aquaman. ;)
 
“An Officer and a Gentleman” is one of my favorite - and pretty damn accurate too.

You must be joking.
What was wrong with it in your opinion? Louis Gossett Jr. was advised by USMC DI's and did a pretty good job playing the military role considering he never served. Sure it had it's cliché moments but as a whole I found it to be believable. Frankly as a movie depicting the training environment I thought it was much better produced than that Full Metal Jacket crap.
 
Okay, I have tried (successfully, I might add) to blot most of that movie out of my head over the years. I recall that there was a Dilbert Dunker in that movie - which was indeed accurate - because I got to ride in one.
And I do recall the character that Richard Gere played, shining brass and shoes in exchange for money. That stuff still goes on to this day. The rest, not so much. ;)
 
I like the first salute scene. I thought the coin exchange was subtle, which is very un-Hollywood like.

I recently watched "Shipmates Forever" on Turner or one of those other old-time movie stations. Not particularly a great movie, but it was filmed on site in the early 1930s. It was neat to see everything as it looked back then and to see the traditions. I am trying to get access to watch "Navy Blue and Gold" which was also filmed in the 1930s. Jimmy Stewart stars in the film and I love anything with Jimmy Stewart.
 
LOL! Everyone we know points out that DS looks like Tom Cruise in this movie - DS HATES this and thus, hates this movie.
 
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Ok this is a REALLY old thread (was Netflix even a thing 5 yrs ago?), but got to wondering about movies about or filmed at USNA after seeing a post about Gate #3 in a Jack Ryan movie (which one was it ??)...so bringing this back to
life for others interested :)

Great watch ideas for these polar vortex, record breaking lows temps that are on tap for the next few days. Even USPS is suspended tomorrow!

Netflix and chill?
 
“An Officer and a Gentleman” is one of my favorite - and pretty damn accurate too.

LOL! Everyone we know points out that DS looks like Tom Cruise in this movie - DS HATES this and thus, hates this movie.

"Officer and a Gentleman" or "Top Gun?" I understand the confusion since they were both so accurate, but I don't believe Tom Cruise was in the former.
 
Meant “A Few Good Men” (wrong quote). Must be the cold (-32 this morning - air temp)
 
I'm not sure Hollywood movies are the best source for information about the USN. Seriously. They are fun and entertaining but generally are like all things Hollywood -- overly dramatic. And much of it is outdated, especially when it comes to the role of women, which is hugely different today than it was even 20 years ago.

I would start with the USNA catalog, available on the usna.edu website. Agree that YouTube probably has the most current stuff about USNA and the USN. I would also ask the OP what specific information your DD is seeking. That might help us point her to good sources.

Surprised no one has mentioned 'Midway' but it's always worth a couple hours to watch.

I agree. If you take away the Charleton Heston storyline entirely (and I love CH), the movie probably provides the best explanation of an incredibly complicated battle. I've read a lot of books and watched a lot of documentaries on the battle, and the movie is the clearest portrayal. That said, I don't think it's necessarily relevant to someone looking to enter the military today.

The Hunt For Red October is also a goodie. The USN was actively involved in this movie (a colleague was on the submarine that played the USS Dallas in the movie) so its depiction of the USN sub side of things is pretty accurate (though women weren't allowed on subs at the time).
 
Not sure if anyone mentioned...."Wings and Warriors - My Life as a Naval Aviator" by Donald D. Engen. I'm in the middle of reading this now (my son gave it to me - he's a 2nd class Mid). Fascinating read about becoming a pilot and flying in WWII aboard a carrier in the Pacific and then on to the jet age. Author becomes a vice Admiral. Gutsy pilots, all of them.
 
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